News

Accompanied by his wife, Assad traveled to the Greek Orthodox monastery of Our Lady of Saydnaya, about an hour north of Damascus. He conveyed his Christmas greetings to the nuns living in the convent there.

Our Lady of Saydnaya monastery—an ancient strucure that was reporetedly built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century—was damaged by shelling during the Syrian civil war. Assad’s visit there came on the same day that Christians in Aleppo celebrated openly for the first time since the city was captured by the Islamic State.

Teachings of Christ

'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:53-54 ESV)

Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, drive away from me the spirit of despondency, carelessness, love of power, and idle chatter. (Prostration)

Rather grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humility, patience, and love. (Prostration)

Yes, O Lord and King, grant that I may see my own faults and not condemn my brother; for You are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen. (Prostration)

Random Proverb

"My son, do not lose sight of these — keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul." (Proverbs 3:21,22a ESV)

Pray Without Ceasing

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Wisdom from the Church Fathers

Seek, my child, the nobility
of the soul, for it is truth; that of the body is false. Do not seek
honor from men, for this injures one; but rather, seek heavenly glory .
. . . You are to be sympathetic with all the brethren and help them as
much as possible; and, you are to minister to them that are unable
or weak. Do not desire to live by another's labors . . . . Never
ridicule anyone, and especially when they are in misfortune. When you hear that a certain brother is disorderly, supplicate God to
correct his life. Visit and help the sick, and serve the brethren as
their servant; so you might be a friend of Christ Who, for your sake,
became a servant and minister. Always heed, my child, not to fall into
temptations. However, if it happens that you should fall, immediately rise up and amend yourself with repentance, and again
hasten to prayer. In this manner, live your life, my child, and God
shall always come to you and help you in soul and body.

St. Theodora of Alexandria, "The Lives of the Spiritual Mothers: An Orthodox Materikon of Women Monastics and Ascetics